AMES – Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell announced additions to the Class of 2021 in the February Signing Period.
The Cyclones received a huge late signing period pickup in Eli Sanders (Running Back, Chandler, Ariz.), who signed a letter of intent this morning and will arrive on campus in June.
Sanders, a four-star recruit, is considered the 18th-best running back nationally according to Rivals and one of the nation’s top-600 players overall by 247Sports.
Sanders had a slew of power five offers after leading his team (Chandler High School) to its second-straight state title and a perfect 10-0 record. The first team all-state selection ran for 1,377 yards, averaged 7.5 yards per rush and had a team-high 23 touchdowns in 2020.
“Our entire program is thrilled to welcome Eli to Cyclone football,” Campbell said. “Eli is an extremely talented player who will allow us to continue to achieve great success at the running back position, but more importantly, Eli is an outstanding young man. He comes from a tremendous family and has been a part of a championship high school program. We look forward to his arrival in Ames this summer.”
Campbell also announced that two graduate transfers have signed financial agreements and will join the program in Jaquan Amos, a defensive back from Villanova, and Andrew Mevis, a placekicker from Fordham.
Amos, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., was a Third Team All-CAA selection in 2019, helping Villanova reach the FCS playoffs with a 9-4 record. He has 149 tackles, eight interceptions and four defensive touchdowns in his career.
“Jaquan is a veteran football player who has had tremendous production at the collegiate level across multiple seasons,” Campbell said. “He is a versatile, talented football player, and a natural leader who will make an immediate impact in our secondary next fall.”
Mevis, who hails from Warsaw, Ind., is a two-time All-Patriot League selection as a placekicker and punter. Mevis was third in the Patriot League in field goal percentage in 2019, making 15-of-20 field goals (75.0 pct.). He also handled punts and kickoffs at Fordham, averaging 40.4 yards per punt and registering 50 touchbacks on 63 kickoffs in 2019.
He enters his senior season with a career 71.0 percent clip on field goals (27-of-38).
“Andrew is a versatile specialist, having started for three seasons as a punter, placekicker and kickoff specialist,” Campbell said. “He will immediately compete to help our football team continue to reach its full potential.”
The Cyclones also welcome 12 players who will join the program next season as preferred walk-ons.
